Johannesburg Botanical Garden
A large public garden in Johannesburg known for its rose terraces and themed plant areas
Johannesburg Botanical Garden is a public green space in Emmarentia, Johannesburg, South Africa. It covers over 80 hectares and features themed gardens, including a rose garden with thousands of plants, a succulent collection, and spaces for weddings, picnics, and learning about plants.
- Over 10,000 roses bloom on seven terraces
- Succulent garden features more than 85 species
- Arboretum includes indigenous and exotic trees
- Herbarium holds over 5,500 pressed plant specimens
- Shakespeare garden displays herbs from his plays
What is Johannesburg Botanical Garden?
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden is a large park with a wide range of plant collections. Visitors find a rose garden with over 10,000 bushes arranged on terraces, a desert-inspired succulent garden, and an arboretum filled with both local and international trees. There are also themed spaces such as a Shakespeare garden, a hedge garden, and a herb garden. Facilities include a herbarium, a library, picnic lawns, a bird island, and a café. The Emmarentia Dam sits next to the gardens, adding to the scenery.
The history of Johannesburg Botanical Garden
The land was once part of Braamfontein farm, established in the 1800s. After changing hands and being divided, parts were given to the city for parks and public use. The idea for a botanical garden was discussed for decades before the city set aside land in Jan van Riebeeck Park in 1968. The garden expanded from an earlier rose garden planted in 1964, growing into a major public space managed by Johannesburg City Parks.
What there is to see
The garden is divided into themed sections. The rose garden, started in the 1960s, features new plantings each year on sloping terraces. The succulent garden, opened in 2006, includes both outdoor beds and glasshouses with species from South Africa and abroad. The herb garden grows culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal plants. Other areas include a hedge garden, a cycad section, wetlands, and a nursery. The herbarium and library support plant study and conservation.
When to go
People visit the garden for walks, picnics, and learning about plants. The rose garden is a highlight, especially when in bloom. The chapel garden hosts weddings. The Shakespeare garden is used for events and displays herbs from his plays. The herbarium and library serve researchers and students. The garden is open daily, and the café offers refreshments.
Parts and collections
Themed sections set the garden apart. The rose garden contains many varieties on seven terraces. The succulent area holds over 85 species, with glasshouses for rarer plants. The arboretum mixes indigenous and exotic trees, including redwoods and oaks. The herb garden includes a section for African traditional medicine plants. The Shakespeare garden links plants to literature.
Why Johannesburg Botanical Garden matters
The garden is a well-known public space in Johannesburg, valued for its plant collections and green landscape. It houses a monument marking the Huguenot presence in South Africa. The Shakespeare garden connects botany with literature. The herbarium and library help preserve plant knowledge. The garden is part of the city's network of parks and is a popular spot for relaxation and events.
Questions people ask about Johannesburg Botanical Garden
Where is the Johannesburg Botanical Garden located?
It is in the suburb of Emmarentia, within Johannesburg, South Africa, next to Emmarentia Dam.
What is the main attraction of the garden?
The rose garden, with more than 10,000 rose bushes on sloping terraces, is a major highlight.
What themed areas can visitors explore?
Visitors can see a Shakespeare garden, a succulent garden, a hedge garden, an arboretum, and a herb garden.
Is the garden used for events?
Yes, the chapel garden is used for weddings, and the Shakespeare garden hosts events and displays.
When was the Johannesburg Botanical Garden established?
The botanical garden was created in 1968, expanding from a rose garden planted in 1964.
Good reading and sources
- Johannesburg Botanical Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Johannesburg Botanical Garden", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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